The table soon settled down into a comfortable silence with the sound of chewing on mantou and sipping of white congee. As Qi Yuan observe that Jae-in is almost done with her meal, he finally voice out.

"So Jae-in Gu Niang, where are you heading after?"

[Gu Niang: 姑娘 A polite form of addressing a female]

Jae-in look up and stare at Qi Yuan with a wall of barrier built up instantly as a defense mechanism.

Laughing awkwardly, Qi Yuan realised he was too forward with his intentions.

"Hahaha, Jae-in Gu Niang please pardon my forwardness. I understand you will be careful with your words after all, you just ran into trouble yesterday. Why not I share my destination first, if you are heading the same way, we can travel together while taking care of one another! Also, it's better to have company to ensure a smooth trip, don't you think so?"

Jae-in remain silent as a way to say yes while waiting for him to continue on.

"We are going to the Capital of Kai."

"What's your business there?" Jae-in questioned.

"Ah, actually I am born and raised in Kai Kingdom. I came to Capital of Xuan for a short traveling trip and now on my way back home."

Knowing that Jae-in is travelling the same place as him, he continue to convince her.

"So, I guess you are also going to Capital of Kai. Why not let's travel together? Being with a local of Kai definitely will bring you more good than bad! Also, I know a shortcut that can shorten the days of traveling!"

Drinking the remaining congee in the bowl, Jae-in wipe her mouth nicely.

"Sure, let's do that. But, I need to go somewhere else before continuing on the trip to Capital of Kai." Jae-in said.

"Sure! Where are we going?"

"Do you know of a nearby abandoned shrine in the middle of Xuan and Kai? I have a comrade waiting for me."

"Hmm.. There are many abandoned shrine along the way, however there is 1 nearby shrine that is just 15km away. I can bring you there."

"Thank you." Jae-in once more thanked this young man that she is not familiar with, yet again and again offering his help to her.

*

*

*

[Beauty Belle Su Palace]

Returning back from the Capital of Xuan, Beauty Belle Su sit on the couch in the living room and fan herself angrily. She cannot believe that Xuan Di abandoned her and return back to the palace by himself. And now, she have to shoulder the unpleasant image of her returning by herself.

Biting on her finger nails, she waited for Maid Xia to return back with the news that she needed.

"Your Imperial consort! I already sought out the information you needed!" Maid Xia ran into the living room while panting.

"Speak immediately." Beauty Belle Su sat upright.

"Apparently, the 3 men that we bribed to destroy her purity did not accomplish the mission. In fact, they got killed by the shadow knights who were secretly protecting Empress Jae. And... and they were assigned by his Imperial Majesty!"

Beauty Belle Su face paled as she did not expect Xuan Di to assign someone to protect Empress Jae.

"Then, Empress Jae return back to the Ke Zhan, however for unknown reasons, she left the Ke Zhan and run into the group of assassins that you paid to kill her after her purity has been destroyed."

"But somehow, his imperial majesty appeared with the 2 shadow knights and then they fight off the assassins for Empress Jae. However, it is said that there were two groups of assassins, one targeting Empress Jae and the other targeting his Imperial Majesty!"

"After that, I heard that Empress Jae went missing with his Imperial Majesty out of Capital of Xuan for hours, but only his Imperial Majesty return back to the Ke Zhan unconscious." Maid Xia finally finish her piece.

Beauty Belle Su took a moment to absorb this information.

"So does that mean that Empress Jae survived the assassination, escaped out of Capital of Xuan with his Imperial Majesty for hours, only his Imperial Majesty return back safe and sound?"

"Yes apparently so."

"So the chances of her being dead is high? Ha Ha! This is good news!"

"But.. Your Imperial Consort, why do you hire another group of assassins and not let the 3 men kill her?"

"Are you stupid? Obviously to cover our tracks, using logic, no one will suspect us as the kidnapping took place at my household. Who will even carry out such crime at their own territory? It is too obvious and intentional, which is why I purposely order you to do so, since no one will suspect us.

Plus, it was New Year Celebration night which makes it harder to save her.

The assassins hired is to be a separate matter of assault. 2 different groups of people, might lead to 2 different mastermind. No one will also suspect it is me."

With a triumph haughty face, Beauty Belle Su explain to her dumb Maid.

"Your Imperial consort, you are so intelligent." Maid Xia bow while feeling afraid that her master will use such scheme against her if she did not listen to her well.

"But do you really think his Imperial Majesty will not find out?" Maid Xia questioned.

Even Beauty Belle Su is not confident in answering that question as she is also afraid that the tracks are not well clean and she might be suspected easily.

"It's okay... Everything will be fine. After all, I heard that all the assassins were killed, so I doubt they are able to track down the mastermind." Beauty Belle Su comfort herself while hiding her shaky hands under the long sleeve.

[Imperial Study Chamber]

"Speak now."

"Your Imperial Majesty, as we killed off the 3 men who tried to destroy her highness's purity, we are unable to track the mastermind. For the 2nd group of assassins that attacked her highness at the alley, they seem to be from a small assassin guild called "Black Hole".

However, as we tried to track further, we realised that this bunch of assassins were the last bunch of assassins that remained alive. The whole guild has been annihilated on the night of the assault by an unknown force. And it seems like the group who tried to assassinate Empress Jae did not know that their guild has been destroyed on the night of their mission.

While tracking the tracks, we realised that this bunch of assassins had come in contact with Beauty Belle Su." Shadow knight one paused as he was unsure if his Imperial Majesty wants him to interfere the affairs of the Woman's Imperial Palace.

"On the other hand, the group of assassins that attacked your Imperial Majesty, they are from another group of association, however we are unable to track far. So there is no information on where they are from and who they work under." Shadow knight two carried on reporting his findings on the assassination that took place 3 days ago.

"En." Xuan Di simply responded to their reportings.

"Then... should we continue to investigate on Beauty Belle Su?" Shadow knight one asked.

"No need, I will deal with her myself."

Shadow knight two, feeling uneasy as he recalled the moment he ignored the direct orders of tracking Empress Jae. He knew that his Imperial Majesty is not happy with this decision of his despite the change in attitude in the end, but he still prepare himself for the punishment.

Kneeling on the floor with his two hands in front of him, he begged for punishment.

"Your Imperial Majesty, your lowly subject knows he has made a deathly mistake and seek your punishment."

"Punishment? What wrong have you done?" Xuan Di looked up.

"Your lowly subject disregarded your orders of prioritising her Highness well-being and did not continue to track her down."

"He he ... Judging the situation at that point, I believe you did your best to make the right decision. You as my loyal subject, please do not blame yourself too heavily." Xuan Di chuckled as though he was happy but yet with no humour in it.

Xuan Di picked up the writing brush and gracefully lay the tip of the brush onto the paper.

"It's okay, I shall capture her myself."

*

*

*

Riding on the horse bought at the resting inn, the group of three young looking lads continue their trip. Occasionally, Jae-in will hop down the horse and run to the nearest tree to verify the mark made by Yu-ji before continuing the path.

With the guidance from Qi Yuan, they quickly reach the hideout area that both Jae-in and Yu-ji agreed upon. Alighting from the horse, Jae-in was the first to run into the abandoned shrine.

"Yu-ji!" Opening the broken doors of the shrine and glance into the empty space with no human presence in it.

Running to the back of the shrine, Jae-in continue to find Yu-ji.

"Yu-ji!" She shouted impatiently as she is afraid that she might be in trouble.

With Qi Yuan and Qing Feng guarding at the entrance steps into the shrine, Jae-in continue to search every visible place.

Carrying the fruits that she pick in her arms, Yu-ji appear at the same old shrine that she stayed the night. To ensure the marks were properly marked, once again she went out to confirm them. Just as she return back with the fruits to ease her hungry stomach, she see 2 young men blocking the entrance.

Walking towards the back-facing men, Yu-ji assumed that they are just some travellers seeking shelter.

Hearing footsteps behind his back, Qing Feng immediately swing his sword which ended at the side of Yu-ji's neck, being in shock, she let go of all the fruits she painstakingly found. Unable to move, she stare at this young man who look so fierce yet good looking at the same time.

"Who are you?"

"Uhm.. I came here first and stayed the night before you guys did! In a matter of fact, it should be me asking who you are you guys?" Yu-ji bravely question as she stare into the eyes of this handsome man.

The initial pleasant feelings towards him was soon gone and replaced with dislike.

As Jae-in heard some commotion from the outside, she quickly rush out to only see Yu-ji being threatened by the sword of Qing Feng. Almost immediately, she knock off the sword and hug Yu-ji in her arms.

"Yu-ji! I am glad that you are safe."

"M-Missy Jae?" Yu-ji cried out as she recognised this lady who came to her rescue.

"Yes! Are you okay?"

"En, I am fine! Except being threatened by some random stranger." Yu-ji give a hateful stare towards Qing Feng.

"Since you have found your comrade, let's move on as we need to hurry before the sun set." Qi Yuan break the tense situation and urge everyone to continue the trip.

_______________________________________

[Su Yin, Beauty Belle Su] -古風坊

[Yu-ji] -云舒院漢服